Centre of Excellence Scheme FAQs

Why have LLST introduced
the Centres of Excellence Scheme?

Instead of filling in lengthy
forms, and convincing us of the need for free legal advice (which
we are very committed to already!) we really want to know how your
organisation is running, what kind of situation it is in, and how
we can help support you to improve and be as stable as possible. We
want to be aware of your strengths, any potential issues as early
as possible and most importantly we want to help you gain
sufficient overview to see how you want to take things forward.

What are the benefits to
the scheme?

Through the CoEx programme, LLST
are offering the support of a day or more of management consultancy
and planning assistance, provided by experienced and knowledgeable
people in the free legal advice sector. Numerous unexpected
benefits come from participation in the scheme and opportunities to
improve your organisation.

Is this another quality
mark?

No. The LLST Centres of Excellence
scheme is a funding and support mechanism that LLST uses to direct
the funds it has raised to the places where they will be used with
greatest effect. It is not intended to duplicate or replace any
other quality mark.

Is this just a funding
application?

No. It is a system of support as
well as potential funding. Because LLST raise their own funds each
year, no amount of funding is guaranteed at any time. To date, LLST
have provided a core funding grant once an organisation has
undertaken the Centres of Excellence scheme and is engaged with the
process. We have then provided further core funding to Centres that
have reached a pass in November/December time each year following
completion of an annual review questionnaire.

What does the Centres of
Excellence scheme look at?

The first stage in becoming a Centre of Excellence is to undertake
the LLST scheme and that has three core areas:

How the organisation is being run (focusing on management and
governance, business planning and strategy, financial management,
funding (fundraising and earned income), staffing, quality and
compliance

A brief file review considering process and compliance

A review of expenditure, and whether money could be saved /
effectiveness increased

A report is then produced,
highlighting areas where support would be beneficial. LLST then
meet with the organisation to try and see how those can be
addressed. This may result in some work with other organisations in
the scheme as well as direct assistance. There is also the
possibility of initial core funding at this stage.

Is the outcome a pass /
fail result?

No. Organisations that are eligible
will continue to be supported by LLST to help them become more
sustainable, effective and efficient. This is a process, not a
simple pass / fail system.

Do you expect the same
standard from a large organisation as a small one?

No. Our expectations in each of the
areas above are proportional to the size of the organisation and
its remit.

Does being part of the
scheme impact how I can get support from LLST?

Your ability to fundraise through
LLST events 100% for your own not for profit legal advice service
and/or apply for a small grant via the small grants programme is
unchanged by being an applicant to the Centres of Excellence
Scheme. Organisations who are passed as a Centre of Excellence
receive preference in the small grants assessments.

Once my organisation has
passed, what is next?

Every year in November/December
time, you will be asked to complete an annual review self
assessment questionnaire to help LLST understand any major changes,
what challenges you are facing in the next twelve months, and
whether any particular needs for support have arisen. We will then
award an unrestricted grant for core costs. As we raise all our own
funds each year, we cannot guarantee an amount for this.

Evidently, the more organisations
we have involved the further our limited funds have to stretch but
we believe the support we provide is as much, if not more, valuable
than the funds. That being said, we are continuously working hard
to raise more funds for the grants pot.

My organisation passed, but
we have had a change in management - what happens now?

We assume that things remain as
they were for the first 3-6 months of the new manager being in
post, and you will be eligible for CoEx funding for that year
during that time (paid in Nov/Dec of each calendar year). We would
expect you to get in touch however and introduce us to the new
manager - they will then need to undertake an assessment after 3-6
months in post (time length dependent on the situation).

My organisation did not
pass a few months ago, what happens now?

Periodically, LLST will get in
touch to find out what has happened to date, how any support
brought in has helped and whether a further visit, phone call or
assessment would be useful. The aim is to eventually help you reach
pass status however some of the changes that might be needed can
take some time.